When preparing to sell your home, it’s natural to wonder how much time, effort, and money you should invest in sprucing it up. While some repairs and upgrades can pay off significantly, others may not deliver the return on investment you’re hoping for. Here’s a guide to help you make informed decisions and get your home market ready without overspending.

Focus on first impressions

Curb appeal is crucial when selling a home. The exterior is the first thing potential buyers see, and it can make or break their interest in stepping inside. Small, relatively inexpensive upgrades to your home’s exterior can make a big impact.

Lawn care: According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), lawn care recoups 217% of its cost on average. Keeping the grass green, trimming bushes, and adding fresh mulch or colorful flowers can make your home more inviting.

Garage and entry doors: Replacing a garage door costs about $4,513 on average but adds $8,751 to the resale value—recouping 194% of the expense. Similarly, replacing an entry door, which costs around $2,355, can add $4,430 to the home’s value.

General landscaping: Basic maintenance like pruning trees, edging walkways, and planting flowers is a worthwhile investment that makes your home more appealing in listing photos and in person.

Small interior fixes with big returns

Inside the house, minor repairs and updates can also go a long way. Potential buyers are often drawn to homes that feel fresh and move-in ready.

Refinish hardwood floors: Refinishing floors in a 2,500-square-foot home costs an average of $3,400 but adds approximately $5,000 to the home’s value. Removing carpet and replacing with LVP is another option as today’s buyers tend to shy away from carpet.

Paint and declutter: A fresh coat of paint in neutral tones can modernize and brighten a space, while decluttering and organizing can make rooms feel larger and more inviting.

Replace dated fixtures: Swapping out old cabinet pulls, light fixtures, or faucets for more modern options is an inexpensive way to refresh a room.

What to skip

While it may be tempting to go all out with a kitchen remodel or add a luxurious new bathroom, these high-cost projects often fail to recoup their expenses.

Kitchen remodels: An upscale kitchen remodel can cost tens of thousands of dollars  but adds only about 37 percent  to the resale value. Instead, focus on smaller updates, such as painting cabinets, replacing hardware, or upgrading appliances.

Bathroom additions: Adding an upscale primary suite is also pricey but recoups only 24% of the expense. Stick to more modest updates, like reglazing the tub or replacing toilet seats.

Major exterior upgrades: While a new metal roof or extensive outdoor construction might improve the home’s appearance, they rarely deliver a strong return on investment.

Low-cost, high-impact

For sellers on a budget, there are plenty of simple, affordable steps that can dramatically improve your home’s marketability:

Declutter: A tidy, organized home appears larger and more appealing.

Deep clean: Wash windows, scrub surfaces, and eliminate odors to make your home shine.

Stage strategically: Rearrange furniture to highlight the home’s best features and create inviting spaces.

Pull up old carpets: If hardwood floors lie beneath, exposing them can boost the home’s appeal.

Keep your buyers in mind

When preparing your home for sale, remember that the goal isn’t to make it your dream home but to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Neutral, timeless choices will have broader appeal than personalized or trendy updates.

By focusing on cost-effective fixes that enhance curb appeal and make your home feel fresh and well-maintained, you can attract more buyers, potentially sell faster, and even command a higher price—all without breaking the bank.

Gary Wisenbaker (gary@realtyadvisorsga.com) is a REALTOR® at Century 21 Realty Advisors and can be reached at (912)713-2553 and gary50155@gmail.com